A single data or security breach can have a devastating and permanent impact that can put an organization out of business after just a single incident.
Laws and regulations apply to all organizations, and most cybersecurity requirements are the same for organizations regardless of their size. As I enthusiastically obtained my IT and cybersecurity certifications, completed my Master of Science in Cybersecurity, and supported the IT and cybersecurity needs of small and midsize businesses, it became apparent that small and midsize businesses are at a disadvantage. Although large organizations have more resources to address cybersecurity requirements, small organizations are expected to comply with the same requirements even though they may only have 1-100 employees. Companies with 100-200+ employees can also face challenges in meeting their IT needs, let alone addressing cybersecurity.
Board members may be unaware that they can be held liable for cybersecurity breaches, or for failure to address legal and regulatory cybersecurity requirements. CEOs may be unaware that in most cases, they are considered to be the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of their organization, even though they may only have a few employees. An employee who already has a full-time job and does not have sufficient knowledge to address cybersecurity may be forced into the role of Compliance Officer (CO)—leaving both the employee and the company open to liability due to negligence. Internal IT staff may not be adept in cybersecurity and the need to balance functionality and security. Network/System Administrators are concerned with ensuring that everything is working properly and that end users have easy access to the tools they need. End-users may lack the awareness and training to identify phishing emails, wire transfers, and CEO fraud, amongst other attacks. All of the preceding problems may leave a small business vulnerable to cyberattacks and liable for not taking appropriate protective steps.
Cybersecurity is a critical business need and function, and unmanaged cybersecurity can expose organizations to incidents from which they may not be able to recover. Breaches can expose organizations to financial losses: legal, contractual, and regulatory liability; loss of reputation; loss of customers; and loss of trust. The management of cybersecurity and the establishment of a risk management program helps an organization prepare for a data breach and supports its survival.
Learn how to protect your organization before it is too late.
Thank you,
Marlon Bermudez
Marber Security LLC
www.MarberSecurity.com